Absolutely, on first glance it looked like a penalty and I expected it to be given. The first replays I saw it was obvious he looked to buy it, it's only when you mentioned it and I put it in slow motion on Sky+ that you see him throw his hands up in the air and start to go down a foot before he reaches Cech.

It's a bit of an odd reaction to throw them up in the air anyway, which first makes you think something isn't quite right. Then you look a bit closer and he's on his way down before the collision. Clever what he did, but no penalty.

As you can see, he's on his way down before he even gets to Cech

[url="http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/441/picture2gk.png/"][/URL

[url="http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/100/picture1sg.png/"][/URL

Interesting and a good defence of your case, for me it's still a pen though as there's really no way he's avoiding the contact when running at that speed and the angle Cech dives in at. Throwing the hands up could be a natural reaction to getting ready for the contact so he did know it was coming which makes it look more suspect, even still is impossible to stay of his feet in that situation unlike another decision from a certain England winger earlier in the day.

We're gonna have to agree to disagree on that. He scored a great freekick and played pretty well once he wasn't being harried in the 2nd half, but Parker was probably better in the first half when it was tight.

Okay, obviously the players haven't showed the character and balls and guile required and are responsible. But...

Redknapp's tactical know-how has been suspect for ages as any seasoned Spurs watchers could tell you. It used to be just the big games that this was most glaring but it's all too frequent now. I mean, look at that ridiculous, suicidal decision re the substitution yesterday and going gung ho - we got crucified by Chelsea following that brain-wave - just like on the previous occasions he's opted for this tactic!

Secondly, what he's done with signings he's brought in (Saha anyone?), signings he hasn't made (nowhere more glaring than at the back - when you're having to rely on the geriatric pairing of Ledley - I'm so crocked I can barely even walk - King and William - I need a lie down I'm so exhausted - Gallas, you know you're screwed), as well as who he has let go (like for example Everton's player of the season Pienarr), well, it's has been gobsmackingly terrible any way you choose to view it.

I suppose it's grimly fascinating though to see how this pans out. I suspect Levy wants rid of him ASAP - but wants the FA to stump up extra dosh, so will wait. But is there a chance the FA are now having major nagging doubts about hiring HR? Alarm bells must be ringing a bit at FA headquarters following the utterly frustrated and baffled Wembley touchline performance and demeanour from HR yesterday.

At least there is still the chance to clinch that 4th spot. But, with Spurs caught in the head-lights of a resurgent Chelsea and indeed Newcastle too, and if the players and manager fail to find the where-with-all to get into the CL despite arguably being in contention for the actual title itself until so recently, having played so wonderfully well, and having blown a staggeringly large points advantage over their rivals, I'd imagine I will not be entirely on my own in wanting HR given the elbow.

We're gonna have to agree to disagree on that. He scored a great freekick and played pretty well once he wasn't being harried in the 2nd half, but Parker was probably better in the first half when it was tight.

Interesting, I don't know anyone else who saw it that way, and Lampard came out on top of the different player ratings, but fair enough

SCOTT PARKER: Lucky to avoid a caution in the first half and powerless to stop Chelsea marching towards the final. 6

FRANK LAMPARD: Always involved in the action going forwards and delivered pass that set up Drogba's opening strike before scoring a superb free-kick. 8

SCOTT PARKER: A typically robust performance from the midfielder as he pugnaciously protected the back four. Tended to dally too long when in possession but delivered a lovely ball to Ad****or for the Spurs goal. 6

FRANK LAMPARD: A bright and tidy display from the veteran as he passed accurately and intelligently, mainly from slightly deeper positions than he is used to. Stunning free-kick from 30 yards for Chelsea's fourth goal. 7.5

SCOTT PARKER: Marshalled the midfield well, but made an impact going forward too. Looked tired as the game wore on, booked in stoppage time. 8

FRANK LAMPARD: A vital tackle to stop Parker bursting through in the 19th minute. Scored Chelsea's 4th with free-kick in the 81st minute and put in a brilliant all-round display. 9

Ross - I thought previously that you quite rated HR and that it was me who thought the idea of him managing England wrongheaded? Did I misunderstand?

No, I did quite rate HR and still quite rate him - 'quite rate' being a relative term (and to be honest, I rated him a lot higher when we had a 13 point lead over Arsenal! )I think previously I thought he was the outstanding home-grown candidate but, for some of the reasons stated in my earlier post, I'm not so sure now... and more importantly, are the FA not so sure now?

Interesting and a good defence of your case, for me it's still a pen though as there's really no way he's avoiding the contact when running at that speed and the angle Cech dives in at. Throwing the hands up could be a natural reaction to getting ready for the contact so he did know it was coming which makes it look more suspect, even still is impossible to stay of his feet in that situation unlike another decision from a certain England winger earlier in the day.

It's just very inconsistent, on the opening day of the season against Stoke, Lampard was through on goal and a defender got his leg in the way. Lampard started to go down slightly before to avoid the contact and everyone agreed it shouldn't of been a penalty.

Same thing happened yesterday and people are saying Cech was lucky not to be off and to concede a penalty. Neither should of been penalties and luckily neither were awarded, all we want is consistency and it's a good thing we got it with both decisions.

I don't think it really matters though, van Persie should walk it imo.

Van Persie has just been a totally different class... mind-blowingly good.

Another QSN. Any of you think Oxlade-Chamberlain should have a try out for England? It's just that when I recall the CL match with Milan, the positively unnerving fact is, there was a period when imo 'the ox' looked liked the best player on the bloody pitch, which is something when you consider who was playing.

Van Persie has just been a totally different class... mind-blowingly good.

Another QSN. Any of you think Oxlade-Chamberlain should have a try out for England? It's just that when I recall the CL match with Milan, the positively unnerving fact is, there was a period when imo 'the ox' looked liked the best player on the bloody pitch, which is something when you consider who was playing.

On point 1, I'm biased of course but that doesn't make it any less true. He's been pure class all year long.

2. The Ox def deserves a try in the England squad. It reminds me of the old joke of the only man who could hold Michael Jordan to under 15 points a game was his college coach, Dean Smith. I think Arsene is bringing the Oxm along slowly but he's def going to be a star and he's also lit a fire under Walcott as well.

He also has a durable build which is perfect for the physical play of the PL. I think Silva is class as well but the slighter built guys (Modric too) have some durability issues at times. I won't even bother bringing up Owen....lol

__________________
I think someone called the cops because you wouldn't stop screaming "look at the size of it". R2473

Van Persie has just been a totally different class... mind-blowingly good.

Another QSN. Any of you think Oxlade-Chamberlain should have a try out for England? It's just that when I recall the CL match with Milan, the positively unnerving fact is, there was a period when imo 'the ox' looked liked the best player on the bloody pitch, which is something when you consider who was playing.

Absolutely! We have no hope of winning it all, why not give some young players a go on the big stage? I'd take him over Gerrard, he's been injured for much of the last 2 years and has openly admitted to looking to retire from International football in the summer, so he won't be at the World Cup.

No, I did quite rate HR and still quite rate him - 'quite rate' being a relative term (and to be honest, I rated him a lot higher when we had a 13 point lead over Arsenal! )I think previously I thought he was the outstanding home-grown candidate but, for some of the reasons stated in my earlier post, I'm not so sure now... and more importantly, are the FA not so sure now?

Who knows what the FA thinks, if that is the right term for what goes on there. They are in a bit of trouble though. The summer tournament starts before too long -- is it seven weeks? -- and they have no manager for the England team. Moreover the former shoe in candidate no longer looks such a good bet. It is difficult to imagine any other national association being so incompetent as to alienate and lose their manager only weeks before the biggest tournament of the year and then to have no replacement in post shortly before the tournament starts.